Sunday 10th April - On a lovely spring morning the under 14s took on Clayton Villa and came away with a 2-2 draw. The game was very close with Clayton having numerous chances, only to be thwarted by Charlie in goals. In the first half Clayton scored (1-0) and that was how it stayed until half time. Second half we drew level with a close range headed goal from Jack. Then the tipping point in the game. The appointed referee on the day had not shown, however, as luck would have it another referee was on hand to take charge (the referee concerned usually taking charge of North West County's League games and didn't take any messing). The ref awarded the Celts a penalty, which resulted in some words being said to the ref from one of the Clayton players, which resulted in a straight red card. George stepped up and slotted the penalty away 2-1 to the Celts. We then had muost of the play and pushed on for a third, however, we got caught on the break and despite Charlie's efforts the ball ended ... Read the rest of this article...

Today the 14s played Prestwich Marauders Tigers and drew 2-2. Once again we only had eleven players available. In the opening stages of the game Prestwich had the majority of the play with their wingers causing all sorts of problems and we soon found ourselves 2-0 down. We did have the odd chance with George being unlucky when his shot came back off the post. Half time and a few of tactical changes and words of wisdom, Jack to centre half, Danny into midfield and Joe going to right back. In the second half it was roles reversed with the Celts having the majority of the play, George got the first goal from a well struck free kick, which went through the wall and straight into the back of the net. The second goal came not long after with Heapy powering the ball into the back of the net from at least one yard off the goal line. The Celts pushed on and tried to get the winner, however, the refs whistle blew and the game ended all square. A much better performance today, lets hope we c... Read the rest of this article...

Today the 14's played Prestwich Marauders Panthers and lost 3-0. The game was always going to be tough as we knew we only had 11 players available, this was made even more difficult when one player was delayed and arrived just before half time at which point we were 1-0 down. The boys generally played well against a bigger more physical team and we did create some chances, however, the lack of substitutes took its toll and as we tired in the second half and conceded a further 2 goals. Full time lost 3-0.

Today the 14s played Moston Juniors Blues and lost 3-1. After last weeks poor performance, today was always going to be a tough test, as Moston are currently top of the table, however, unlike last week the lads rolled their sleeves up and gave a battling display and if it had not been for a mistake by Charlie (goalkeeper) to concede the first goal and some rather dubious offside decisions (for both teams), then the result could have been different. We also changed the line up this week, moving Adam from centre half to centre forward and Danny dropping from midfield into defence. The game started well with both teams giving a good display of themselves. The first goal came for Moston, with a speculative strike from outside the box, Charlie dived and looked to have it covered, but it went under his body and trickled into the net. Before half time Moston got the second, with a headed goal from a corner. Half time 2-0 to Moston. Onto the second half, with both teams again playing some good... Read the rest of this article...

Today the under 14s went out of the Tameside Sunday League Challenge Cup, losing 3-1 to Mossley Juniors. On paper this looked quite an easy tie, with Mossley being a division below the 14s. However, with all credit to Mossley they were up for the game from the off and the Celts never looked at the races, with what can only be described as the worst performance of the season so far. 1-0 at half time to Mossley. Scorer: Jack

Today the 14's lost 4-2 to Failsworth Dynamos. It was always going to be a tough game, and this was made tougher when we received a phonecall on Thursday saying the game was to be played at Wright Robinson on the dreaded astroturf (we still don't know why the decision to switch the game to astro was agreed by the League as we could have played on Blocksages), oh and the game was to kick off at 10:15?. Anyway we turned up on time, however, the ref did not appear until gone 10:30, who then made some strange decisions for both teams. The game started well for the Celts who soon went 1-0 up with a strike from Bezy. Failsworth then applied quite a bit of pressure and pulled one back from a corner. Half time 1-1. Onto the second half with Failsworth looking to hoof the ball forward for their speedy strikers to chase, and they soon found themselves 4-1 up, assisted by some rather dubious 'not offside decisions'. The Celts then rallied and had most of the possession, Bezy was brought down... Read the rest of this article...

Yesterday (6th Feb) the 14s played Failsworth Dynamo and lost 3-0. We played Failsworth earlier this year with a bare bones team and lost 2-1. We had a full squad available today, so we were expecting a win, however, we just did not turn up and I don't think we had a shot on target in the whole match. Very poor performance, we need to play as a team and support each other. We have got a chance to redeem ourselves in two weeks when we play Failsworth again in the League Cup, lets wait and see what happens.

Today the 14s played Bolton BSS and came away with a 6-3 victory. For the first time since mid November we had all 16 players available for selection and in the end the availability of extra players told, with Bolton only managing to name eleven players. We changed our warm up today and started brightly, but this didn't stop us going 0-1 down within the first ten minutes form a freekick (that was given away cheaply) on the edge of the box, the wall fell apart and the ball ended up in the back of the net. This rallied the Celts and we managed to pull three goals back (two from George and one from Heapy). Goal of the day goes to George with an assist from Heapy. Heapy collected the ball on the right, beat his man and delivered a near perfect cross to George who vollyed the ball into the back of the net from six yards out. Halftime 3-1. In the second half the Celts started as if the game was already over, however, Bolton were much the brighter and managed to pull two goals back. 3-3. A fe... Read the rest of this article...

Today the 14s played Prestwich Marauders Tigers and lost 5-3, but for a disallowed goal and a dubious refereeing decision the result could have been different. In the first half the Celts were there usual self, conceeding two goals in the first five minutes, they then rallied and pulled 2 back (one from George and one from Danny). Half time 2-2. Onto the second half, which lke the first half was a pretty even contest, the Tigers scored two more goals 2-4, the Celts then had a goal disallowed (still don't know why!) before George scored direct from a free kick on the edge of the box 3-4. Then came the strange refereeing decision, JP was shielding the ball with the Tigers player all over him, the referee saw this as obstruction, much to the dis belief of all watching and playing. The Tigers took the freekick quickly whilst the Celts were in discussion with the referee with the ball ending up in the back of the net 3-5. The Celts tried in vain to get the extra goals they needed. Game... Read the rest of this article...

Today the under 14s played Failsworth Dynamos and lost 2-1. It was always going to be a tough game as we had not played a competitive match since November, this however, was compounded when we only had 10 players at the start of the game. We knew we had 3 missing through illness and after contacting the other 3, they appeared not have received the text regarding the game. Fortunately one player managed to arrive midway through the first half (upto 11 players) at which point the score was 0-0 with the Celts standing firm in defence and having very few chances at the other end. Half time 0-0. At half time we lost another player due to illness (back to 10 players). In the second half despite only having 10 players we took the lead with Ted dribbling through the box to slot the ball past the keeper. Failsworth then had several chances to equalize before they finally got one back 1-1, (the player who had gone off at half time then came back on). We kept plugging away and had a few half... Read the rest of this article...